Enhancing Public Trust through Strategic Communication in Advancing STAJ and the Right to Information
Deputy Chief Registrar and Judiciary Spokesperson Hon Paul Maina engaged the judges on ‘Enhancing Public Trust through Strategic Communication in Advancing STAJ and the Right to Information,’ during the High Court Annual Human Rights Summit His presentation underscored the critical role of strategic communication in strengthening public trust and advancing STAJ Outcome 5, Strategic Objective 2: improving communication and information sharing.
The Judiciary has appointed an official spokesperson, enhanced social media engagement, and institutionalized structured communication to ensure proactive, credible, and citizen-focused information dissemination.
The spokesperson told the judges that a key driver of this strategy is the need to counter negative public perception. According to the 2025 TIFA survey, 59% of Kenyans believe corruption is the Judiciary’s biggest challenge—far overshadowing concerns about funding. In a fast-changing media landscape, legacy media remains slow and regulated, while new media is rapid, viral, and capable of causing lasting reputational damage. High internet penetration, widespread social media use, and a youthful, digitally literate population have amplified the need for timely, accurate, and transparent communication.
He said strategic communication is necessary to provide quick responses, curb misinformation, avoid overexposure, and guide public understanding of judicial processes. The Judiciary Spokesperson’s mandate includes articulating policies and decisions, managing media relations, leading crisis communication, monitoring public perception, strengthening communication structures across courts, ensuring consistent messaging, and providing periodic updates.
Hon Maina said since assuming office, the Spokesperson has issued clarification statements on high-profile matters, countered misinformation on social media, and clarified misleading media reports on cases such as Baby Pendo, Dari Limited, and others. Several media interviews and press briefings have highlighted judicial reforms, independence, and accountability.
Operational documents—including media guidelines, stakeholder engagement plans, and fact sheets—have been developed to support consistency. A decentralized media engagement approach is underway, with Judges, Magistrates, and staff encouraged to articulate Judiciary positions at station level. Future plans include intensified media engagement, wider social-media presence, and enhanced public sensitization. He emphasized that support from Principal Judges and Judges is essential—especially through preparing media summaries, participating in public education, and supporting communication structures—to restore confidence in the Judiciary.
